WATCH: Hollywoodbets Foundation invests in mental health
The event, which took place at the hospital’s premises in Point, was attended by various stakeholders including mental health advocates and medical professionals.
The Hollywood Foundation recently announced a staggering donation of R10 million towards the renovations of the KwaZulu-Natal Children’s Hospital, which endeavours to provide comprehensive mental health care to children from across the province.
The announcement was made on Mental Health Awareness Day, on Tuesday, at an event dedicated to addressing the critical issue of mental health stigma and promoting access to mental health resources.
This remarkable contribution will be dedicated to the creation of a state-of-the-art 15-bed mental health ward, catering specifically to adolescent girls with neurological conditions.
The event, which took place at the hospital’s premises in Point, was attended by various stakeholders including mental health advocates and medical professionals.
The renovation of the KZN Children’s Hospital represents a pivotal milestone in addressing the often-overlooked mental health needs of adolescents, particularly those with neurological conditions.
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The mental health ward will be designed to meet the specific needs of young girls, offering a nurturing environment and specialised care to aid in their recovery and well-being.
CEO of the KZN Children’s Hospital Trust, Taryn Millar, said the generous donation from the Hollywood Foundation will play a pivotal role in transforming the hospital’s mental health facilities into a state-of-the-art centre of excellence.
“In KZN, where there are only 10 child and adolescent psychiatric beds, the restoration of the female adolescent psychiatric ward will mean we can now care for an additional 15 young patients. Our deepest gratitude goes to the Hollywood Foundation for their unwavering support. We look forward to working together in partnership for our children,” she said.
Vuyisile Ngobese, public relations officer at Hollywood Foundation said their contribution to the KZN Children’s Hospital is not just an investment in infrastructure but a declaration of our unwavering commitment to improving mental health care access for vulnerable communities.
“We firmly believe that everyone deserves equitable access to quality healthcare, and this mental health ward will serve as a beacon of hope for countless young lives,” she said.
Among the distinguished panellists was Sophie Ndaba, a renowned media personality, businesswoman and mental health advocate. “As parents, we need to be aware, communicate with our children and ensure that our homes are safe for them to be able to vent, instead of taking out their frustrations on social media. We must try to understand our children through their body language and behaviour. I know how serious mental health is, I suffered from it. I was body-shamed on social media, people sending RIPs. Even my children suffered from that. There was even a moment when they called my kids from school to send condolences on my death. Some were even saying I was dying of Aids,” said Ndaba.
